Dust Storm in New Mexico Kills 6 People in Interstate Highway Crash

State troopers say several vehicles were involved in a crash on an interstate highway in southwestern New Mexico during the dust storm.

Winds were gusty in the area around the time of the crash, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde said.

The Lordsburg Regional Airport recorded gusts up to 30 mph about an hour before, Rinde said. There was also thunder around the airport.

The incident happened around 5:30pm MDT on Thursday in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 in Hidalgo County, several miles from the Arizona border.

“Initial investigation has revealed that due to a severe dust storm, several vehicles, both passenger vehicles and Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV), were involved,” police said in a news release.

There was no word on the specific number or types of vehicles involved, but the Arizona Daily Star of Tucson reported that Arizona state officials said the crash included a tractor-trailer rig fire.

Troopers said six people have been confirmed dead, but a brief statement did not include any details about injuries.

The interstate was shut down in both directions. Westbound lanes reopened later. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the closure will last until 8 a.m. Friday. Eastbound interstate traffic in Arizona has been routed onto U.S. Highway 191 to U.S. Highway 70. Traffic in New Mexico is advised to use N.M.-80.